In the fifth and final installment of the Tiffany Aching books, big changes are happening. Tiffany is the witch helping people in the area she grew up in known as the Chalk. She is called to Lancre to attend to business. Soon she learns trouble is brewing because an old enemy is returning. Tiffany discovers a boy named Geoffrey who wants to be a witch and his goat Mephistopheles. The young witch Tiffany is torn between staying in her homeland, the Chalk, or moving on. This conflict is brought home to her when her father gives her a symbol of her ancestors, the Shepherd’s Crown.
Overall I liked the book however some of the episodes in the book felt odd. Some of the climatic scenes in the book seemed rushed to me. I love the humor in Pratchett’s books. This book features the Nac Mac Feegles, tiny blue men who protect Tiffany, who always make readers laugh with their philosophy of drinking, fighting, and stealing. Emotions were well –conveyed: scenes in the book made me cry while other scenes triggered a mix of other emotions inside me.
One of the most memorable things about this book is that it is award-winning author Sir Terry Pratchett’s final book, published 5 months after his death. And in this final book, Pratchett wraps up the stories of some of his most memorable characters at a time when he may have been wrapping up his own story. He dedicates the book to one of the characters, head witch Esmerelda Weatherwax.
Reviewed by Aidan, Grade 6, Gayton Library
HCPL TeenScene's Read + Review 